Hey hey Grit gang! I hope you had a good weekend. Mine weekend was okay… I had some fun times, but I’m feeling a little stressed due to work and lot’s personal things on my plate. In all honesty, today was one of those days that I really wanted to just sit at home and feel sorry for myself. In fact. I did. For a while… But then I started planning my blog posts for the next few days and perusing some blogs that I follow, and I came upon this post that gave me the “kick in the butt” that I needed.
I love that the title is simple – “Discipline.” In the end, discipline is what really matters. I have to have the discipline to get up off of my couch and not be a cry baby. I have to have the discipline to workout when I don’t feel like it. And most importantly, I have to have the discipline to CHOOSE to be happy when it would be so much easier to mope around. So, with that said, I just wanted to share this post with you as a little “Sunday inspiration.” I hope it motivates you as much as it motivated me.
As promised, here’s another 5 minute ab/core workout for you to enjoy. In case you missed my 5 minute Abs Vol. 1, you can CLICK HERE to check it out. Feel free to do the workout on your own or with me in real time via my YouTube video below. Lots of luv, Brit
Happy Friday everyone! As I was sitting at my desk, unwinding from a busy week and getting ready to enjoy my weekend, I came across this blog post that truly inspired me. I totally agree with these 5 tips (especially Tip #5). The time is now! Whatever dream has been sitting heavy on your heart, now is the time to pursue it! Tomorrow isn’t promised – so get up and go for it. Lots of luv, Brit 🙂
Every single person you meet will have some sort of advice for you. Unfortunately, I struggle to believe most of it or find it actionable in my daily life. It is difficult to learn a new trade, to think in the clouds, and generally to run out and change my life. How can I do that in the confines of my busy life while also gaining great value out of each activity? From an economics perspective, the opportunity cost of everything we do is quite high, especially nowadays as people become busier and busier. This is why I give 5 pieces of advice that I feel can drastically change the way you think and live while barely changing anything at all.
1. Give more than you receive. To me, this one is the most important. People that give are happier, more successful, and more fun to be around. If a person asks you for advice with your trade, give it to them over dinner or a drink. No favor will go unpunished and it is more than likely this will lead to them providing you with future opportunities or just a new friend or perspective. Many people argue with me that people should do charity for the sake of helping others and not have a selfish motive. To me, it doesn’t particularly concern me either way. Most people that do charity enjoy helping others but that does not indicate that you should feel guilty getting a benefit from your charity as well.
2. Network. The saying that I have found most true in my life is that it is not what you know but who you know. Networking can be as easy as meeting new people at work or as difficult as asking your job to pay for you to attend a conference or seminar. Networking will not take too much time out of your life and can even be attached to events like going out, work functions, and dinners. Whenever you can, get a business card and a contact. Again, you never know when it will come in handy.
3. Learn the Economy – it is very sad to me how few people understanding anything about the economy. Without this understanding, it will be very easy for people to get ahead of you. I do not care if your only connection to money is the paycheck you receive because that is a direct implication on the economy and the economy will still affect you. See my post about the economic machine in 30 minutes to get a pretty comprehensive understanding. If you have other questions, let me know.
4. Read + Write – this stands by itself but the greatest business minds, scholars, political figures of our time are well read and well written. You should join these ranks. Start a blog or a journal but reading and writing will improve your analytical thinking, your knowledge, and may even get a few more people to notice your skills.
5. Act Now. Do It. There is no better time than now to get started on what you want to do. Tomorrow is far too late.
That’s me, front and center, delivering the GRIT by Brit workout for BOOYA Fitness
Last weekend I filmed my 2nd official GRIT by Brit workout video! The video will drop on Thanksgiving Day as part of the launch of BOOYA Fitness. BOOYA is an revolutionary new fitness company that provides high-end workout videos to consumers on demand. Think NetFlix for workout videos. It features amazing fitness instructors mostly from the best boutique fitness studios in NYC. You can check out more details on their alpha site www.booyafitness.com but be on the lookout for the Thanksgiving Day launch of their new site and new workout videos – featuring yours truly!
Personally, I decided to support BOOYA and be a featured instructor on the platform because I love the idea of being able to connect with my students outside of the group fitness classroom. Also, the co-founder, Prita Kumar, is a fellow Harvard Business School MBA and Fitness Fanatic (like me). Prita and I met each other over Twitter and instantly connected. I’m so excited for her to transform the fitness industry through high-end video content. You can learn more about her journey to starting BOOYA Fitness on this cool start up documentary, CLICK HERE to watch.
So, let me move on and tell you a little about the cool experience I had at the BOOYA shoot and what you can expect from the new and improved GRIT by Brit workout…
Headed to the studio with my cue cards in hand!
So if you have a copy of my DVD (if you don’t buy one on Amazon – PLEASE) you’ll notice that the workout I designed for BOOYA is very similar. However, I really tried to take my game to the next level. In addition to the jammin’ music, I incorporated new techniques I’ve learned to over the past year to enhance my workout. Specifically:
More FUN – I incorporated some “dance-like” moves into the cardio sections and into the choreography overall
More FIERECE – After each cardio round I have a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) section
More FITNESS – Through the workout I really focused on focus on toning the legs and core. Also I only use of body weight resistance training – no hand weights this time
I feel a HUGE sense of accomplishment after this shoot because I can look back on my progress over the past year and see how I’ve really grown as a fitness instructor and personal coach. It feels good knowing that I’m better able to help people reach their fitness goals. I’m VERY confident that my new workout video will inspire and motivate tons of people to have fun, get fit and show their GRIT 😉
I’m clearly very excited to explain the GRIT by Brit workout during my BOOYA fitness interview 🙂
For the BOOYA shoot, I was fortunate to have a rock star group of participants, Minal and Lateefah. Minal, is another HBS MBA / Fitness Guru – she is the founder of BollyX and did me the honor of being in my video. “BOLLYX is a Bollywood-inspired dance-fitness program that combines dynamic choreography and intensive workouts with upbeat music from around the world. The workouts are fun and invigorating but, more importantly, designed to drive fitness results through cardio and muscle-building exercises. ” Lateefah, is the founder of EmpowerFit. “Empowerfit is empowerment through fitness.” Lateefah and I met the day of the shoot, but we instantly connected – it was like we had known each other for years. She brings a solid dance cardio background to the video which complimented the GRIT by Brit signature moves very well.
Both of these lovely ladies ROCKED IT OUT and brought some serious energy and enthusiasm on shoot day – I’m super grateful for them both!
Lateefah, me and Minal after a successful shoot!
Overall, I cannot wait for the official video to drop on Thanksgiving Day! I’ll keep you guys posted on the details. In the meanwhile, keep grinding, keeping shinning and keep showing you GRIT. I’ve got a new ab workout coming this week, so stayed tuned for that as well. All the best to you!
I am down another 2 pounds on Brit’s September Shape Up Plan (woo hoo). The most important part of this process has been the ability to focus on my diet and exercise (even though the later has been waylaid due to illness). As I mentioned in my week two review, I have a lot of personal things going on: renovating our new house, getting ready to move, and preparing to start a new job (all while finishing up at the old one)! Having this challenge has actually been a blessing since I tend to stress eat! So, here’s how I did last week…
Diet:
I managed to get in three smoothies for dinner and subbed for 2 other meals on other days. I am actually really enjoying having the smoothies and utilizing unique ingredients for them. I think when everything is said and done with this challenge that I might actually keep this practice around. I don’t know about you but usually my Achilles heel when dieting is dinner. I tend to eat pretty well through out the day and then get home and my diet goes quickly down the tubes. Having to record my food and having smoothies has definitely helped with this! I’ve also started experimenting with some new to me foods including coconut water and almond milk. Hooray for new food items!
Hydration:
Being sick has really focused me on making sure I am drinking way more than I usually do. Hooray for checking off this box!
Blake (in the pink pants) and Friends after a sweet 3 mile run!
Thursday: Assisted with tiling at the house – this entailed lifting hundreds of pounds of tile up and down the stairs in my house for about three hours – talk about some power lifting – marble is HEAVY.
Friday: More tiling in the house.
Saturday: Attempted to help with the tiling in the house. Instead I was so sick that I sat on the floor pretty useless.
Sunday: Definitely really sick 🙁
Brit’s Tips for Blake:
Stay strong to the finish! You are doing an amazing job and already seeing great progress – down over 4 pounds! Also, be sure to stay hydrated when you’re sick. However, I believe that it’s still important to stay active when are you aren’t feeling well – physically and mentally exercise can help you get back to feeling normal. If you feel sick, do some resistance training or yoga. If you aren’t able to workout, be very conscious of your calorie intake – lots of low-calorie fluids, water and nutritious smoothies instead of heavy meals. You’ve already done so much hard work, so keep on truckin’ – you’re almost there. GO BLAKE 🙂
Happy Monday! No matter what you are going through, keep your head held high, be strong and keep pushing forward. You never know how close your are to reaching your reward! Wishing you a wonderful week. Lots of luv, Brit
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and encouraging you to make the most of your time! Often it’s easy for us to procrastinate and push the deadlines for our goals. BUT this weekend I encourage you to schedule some “YOU” time. Make time to exercise, update your planner, spend time pursuing your goals and most importantly, spend time with the people you love. We can accomplish so many things when we JUST DO THEM. Shock yourself this weekend! Lots of luv, Brit
I made up this healthy habits list about 2 years ago when I got really serious about taking control of my health, my weight and my life. While these habits may seem a little extreme, they are doable and beneficial! Personally, I have not mastered the list, but each day I try to do a little better. It takes a lot of GRIT to develop healthy habits. Buthealthy habitsare the only way to a sustain a healthy lifestyle. While these habits can take a lifetime to develop, we should strive to perfect them EVERY DAY. Doing so helps us be our BEST SELVES! If we focus on 1 healthy habit at a time, soon enough we’ll be living by the full formula. GOOD LUCK! Luv, Brit 😉
BRIT’S LIST OF HEALTHY HABITS – MY FIERCE FORMULA…
0 – Hours of television
1 – Hour of exercise
2 – Liters of water
3 – Cups of hot green tea
4 – Short mental breaks
5 – Small meals
6 – AM wake up time
7 – Minutes of laughter
8 – Hours of sleep (at least)
9 – PM end of the day and off to bed
10 – Prayers of gratitude (list 10 things you’re thankful for)
Happy Friday! I hope you guys are looking forward to an awesome weekend. I certainly am. This is my birthday weekend – HEY! On Sunday, July 14th I will turn 29 years old…the last year of my twenties has come.
To celebrate my b-day I’m having a pool party at my parents’ house. But this isn’t your ordinary pool party. My mom ordered the most AWESOME slip-n-slide in the world (see below)! Talk about being “young at heart” 😉
So, in the spirit of growing older, wiser and more awesome, I wanted to leave you this little nugget of inspiration….
HAVE SOME FUN THIS WEEKEND! Choose to be happy! Reward yourself with some good times and positive energy. We often take ourselves so seriously that we forget to stop and enjoy this one precious life that we have. So, rest assured, I will be living it up (and working out) this weekend and I hope that you will too!
“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” –Henri Nouwen
Happy Independence Day to my US blog followers! I hope you enjoy some rest, relaxation, quality time with the people you love and (of course) a good workout! For those of you outside of the US, this blog post is also for you 🙂
On this day of freedom, remember that we are free in every capacity: emotionally, physically and spiritually! So, relish in that fact. Clear you mind of can’t. Anything you want in life, anything you desire to experience, all of it, IS YOURS! So, today, let’s accept our freedom. Be grateful for it. And let NOTHING hold us back from pursuing our dreams!
